Jump racing ~ Friday 15th March

[Stevet1859]

1:30 Cheltenham: Stocktons Wing 1pt win 20/1 William Hill & Hidden Justice 1pt win 16/1 Ladbrokes Stocktons Wing looks quite a big price here considering he ran favourite Our Connor to a couple of lengths at Fairyhouse back in December. Stocktons Wing has gradually improved since, and lines up here on the back of a win in a Grade Two. And with A P McCoy taking over in the saddle and perhaps racing a little close to the pace, Stocktons Wing could go close. In form John Quinn trained last year's winner of this and he has booked Paul Carberry for Hidden Justice. Its a slight concern that Dougie Costello has gone for Kashmir Peak however Hidden Justice could not have done any more in his two victories and he certainly won't lack for assistance from the saddle. Hidden Justice looks to have bit of potential and is capable of progressing further. 2:05 Cheltenham: Hisaabaat 1pt win 25/1 William Hill If the rain stays away and Hisaabaat can recapture the same form that saw him finish second in the Triumph Hurdle then he could go very well at a big price off what looks like a fair mark. The form of that last season's race at The Festival has worked out pretty well, especially with Countrywide Flame going well on Tuesday. Michael Nolan takes off a handy five pounds. 2:40 Cheltenham: Cloudy Copper 2pts win 1pt place 12/1 Paddy Power (1/4 123) Cloudy Copper looks to be a very progressive sort. There has been a lot to like about the manner of his victories at Exeter and Kempton. He went off a big price against a Paul Nicholls odds on shot at Exeter and followed that up in January only having to be pushed out. Cloudy Copper is lightly raced and this distance looks ideal and he should be staying on up the hill. Richie McLernon and Jonjo O'Neill combined for a winner on Thursday. 3:20 Cheltenham: Cape Tribulation 1pt win 16/1 William Hill Cape Tribulation goes really well here. He has won over hurdles and put up a fine effort to win the Argento Chase on Trials Day. There dosen't look anything wrong with that and he demonstrated his staying power there, just getting the better of Imperial Commander. Cape Tribulation got a fine ride from Denis O'Regan that day and he is in the plate again today. 4:40 Cheltenham: Double Ross 1pt win 25/1 William Hill & Village Vic 1pt win 11/1 Stan James Double Ross enjoys running at this course and the Twiston-Davies yard has sprung in to life. If Double Ross gets away in front he may take some pulling back. Double Ross is nine pounds higher than his win here in November however he pulled well clear on that occasion so he should still be competitive. Village Vic is another that has run well here and that form has received a boost this week. The horses Village Vic has finished behind, reads like a Who's Who, The New One, Coneygree, Melodic Rendevous, My Tent or Yours and even Champagne Fever in last season's Bumper. He didn't get too close to any of those rivals yet he was not beaten out of sight either. With Old Vic as his sire this step up should be in Village Vic's favour.

[robertob]

Re: Jump racing ~ Friday 15th March 1.30 Our Conor @ 10/3 VC - 4pts win Lightly raced, winning three on the bounce this season, mightily impressive in his most recent start at Leopardstown when winning the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle. Saw him in flesh at Navan in November and he looked a really classy sort, really the one to beat here tomorrow and could prove too good here. 2.05 Shadow Catcher 25/1 Bet365 + Brampour @ 50/1 Bet365 - 0.5pts win each Shadow Catcher had a light campaign this season so far with only two starts. He should be primed after a spin at Dundalk's All-Weather track and could we easily well handicapped. He finished a strong second to Hissabat last February, who finished later second in the Triumph hurdle. Shadow Catcher is fitted with cheek-pieces for the first time today which could bring out further improvement and if so he'll be right in the mix. Brampour could be interesting for a very big price with first time blinkers fitted from a slipping mark. He's surly a better horse than what he showed this season yet and I hope he can find back to his best with the new headgear on. 2.40 Our Vinnie @ 11/1 Betfred - 1pt win He looks a bit the forgotten horse to me. Our Vinnie has absolute top class form to offer over this trip, winning two from two, and particularly the form of the Grade 3 at Cork which he took is very strong. He was not disgraced back over shorter at Leopardstown in January, when beaten in 3rd by Pont Alexandre. Think he'll be a big runner tomorrow with the ground and trip definitely to suit as well as that he ran a strong race on his only start at Cheltenham. 3.20 Sir Des Champs @ 4/1 Bet365 - 3pts win Said one year ago after his win in the Jewson Novices' Chase that he'll win the Gold Cup next year and I still feel confident in his chance in this race. He's done not much wrong this year, improving gradually and I thought he was very impressive when beating Flemenstar at Leopardstown lto. He will love the additional two furlongs in the Gold Cup and he definitely loves it around Cheltenham. he's a burden of potential and all will come together in the Gold Cup tomorrow I hope. 4.00 Tricky Trickster @ 12/1 Bet365 - 1pt win a former Cheltenham festival winner, won much stronger races in the past and looked to regain something of his old form when he appeared back at the racetrack after a long lay-off. He was beaten in his second start this season as an odds-on shot though, which was disappointing, but I'm sure he'll improve for these races and will be fit for tomorrow. He has no problems with the trip and should run a big race tomorrow here. 4.40 Toner D'Oudairies @ 12/1 Paddy Power - 1pt win Finished 2nd in this race last year, while travelling super well for a long time but just jumped a bit to the right on the last and lost it in the final 100y or so. He didn't run over hurdles since then, his trainer probably wanted to protect his mark, which is only 2lb higher than last year. Cheek-pieces are fitted for the first time, which chould lead to further improvement and then he'll have a real go in this race.